Judgement in brief
In the Rider-Waite tradition, Judgement stands for awakening, renewal and self-evaluation, the moment when an inner call is heard and answered. Modern readers often take it as a time to look honestly at the past, learn from it and step into a new chapter, while the reversed card points to self-doubt, a harsh inner critic or a call that is being ignored.
Waite named the card The Last Judgment, and it represents the accomplishment of the great work of transformation. Judgement represents an inner calling, a sign of rising to a higher level of awareness.
The card’s picture
This symbol is essentially invariable in all Tarot sets. The great angel is surrounded by clouds and blows a bannered trumpet, with a cross displayed on the banner. The dead are rising from their tombs, a woman on the right, a man on the left and their child between them with its back turned. In Waite’s card, more than three figures are restored, a change he made to show the insufficiency of current explanations.
All the figures are as one in the wonder, adoration and ecstasy of their attitudes. The summons is heard and answered from within, raising the question of what it is within a person that sounds a trumpet so that everything lower rises in response. In older packs, the card has an obvious meaning of renewal.
The angel is Gabriel. The outspread arms of the rising figures show readiness to answer the call. There are echoes of the Death card here, since both remind readers that every ending is followed by a new beginning.
Upright meaning
The divinatory meanings of the upright card are change of position, renewal and outcome.
Upright Judgement represents a moment of reflection and self-evaluation, a clearer view of where one stands and what is needed to grow. Upright Judgement also represents a period of awakening brought on by reflection, which may lead to small changes or large ones. Judgement can mark a time to let go of the past in order to move forward.
Judgement represents a call to rise to a higher level of awareness, letting go of an old self. Judgement also represents a life-changing decision that calls for a blend of intuition and intellect, unlike the more logical Justice card. Judgement can show the pieces of one’s life story coming together, with past regrets cleared and a sense of absolution.
Reversed meaning
Reversed Judgement represents weakness, pusillanimity and simplicity, and also deliberation, decision and sentence.
Reversed Judgement represents doubting and judging oneself too harshly, which can cause opportunities to be missed. Reversed Judgement also represents a prompt to make time to reflect on what has been learned, and to forgive oneself for past mistakes.
Reversed Judgement represents a call for reflection and self-evaluation, with work on self-forgiveness and self-acceptance. Reversed Judgement also represents a call to something bigger that is being ignored, often out of fear of the sacrifice it may ask. Reversed Judgement can show a loud inner critic and suggests hearing it out while replacing it with kinder messages.
Judgement in love
In love, upright Judgement represents a time of self-reflection about one’s love life, when issues once ignored are seen clearly. Upright Judgement also represents a call for open communication, where small changes made together can have a large effect.
Reversed Judgement represents a prompt to check that criticisms of a partner are fair before voicing them. Reversed Judgement also represents a call to see a relationship honestly, including anything one has been in denial about.
Judgement in career
For work, upright Judgement represents an awakening about one’s career path, perhaps a new purpose or a calling that cannot be ignored. Upright Judgement also represents a time to look at how one’s actions at work affect others, and to take responsibility for one’s part in any conflict.
Reversed Judgement represents being too harsh on oneself after mistakes at work, leaving a lingering doubt about one’s abilities. Reversed Judgement also represents not taking responsibility and not learning the lessons that would allow the next step.
Judgement and money
Upright Judgement in money questions represents a time of self-reflection about one’s relationship with money and whether old habits have been holding things back.
Reversed Judgement represents being hard on oneself after a setback, or falling back into the same patterns. Reversed Judgement is a prompt to notice whether one is being hard on oneself after a setback or falling back into the same patterns.
Judgement as feelings
As feelings, upright Judgement represents an awakening: someone is reflecting on the past with another person and seeing the potential for renewal. Upright Judgement also represents one’s own call to self-reflection and honesty.
Reversed Judgement represents confusion and self-doubt, with someone unsure how to make sense of their feelings. Reversed Judgement also represents one’s own questioning of choices and direction.
Questions to reflect on
- What lesson from the past is ready to be put to use?
- Is there an inner call that keeps returning?
- Where would a little more self-forgiveness help?
- What new chapter is asking to begin?